Capacitor Header Structure for Fast Discharge and Dielectric Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
High voltage capacitors face challenges in storing charge while preventing dielectric breakdown during rapid discharge, as the insulation requirements for storing charge conflict with the low inductance needed for quick discharge.
Innovation Solution
A capacitor header design featuring live and ground output plates with insulating members having non-planar mating surfaces that interleave to form a non-linear path, along with insulating seals and sheets extending beyond the output plates, to reduce inductance and prevent dielectric breakdown.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the separation between capacitor header output plates is decreased to reduce inductance, then the ability to discharge rapidly is improved, but the risk of dielectric breakdown increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a multi-layer stacked structure with insulating members arranged in layers (first insulating member, second insulating member, third insulating member) separated by insulating sheets. This transforms the insulation path from a simple linear separation into a three-dimensional multi-layer configuration, increasing the effective insulation distance without increasing the linear separation between output plates, thus reducing inductance while preventing dielectric breakdown.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulation system is segmented into multiple discrete insulating members (first, second, and third insulating members) with insulating sheets between them. This segmentation allows each insulating member to be optimized independently and creates multiple insulation barriers in series, collectively providing sufficient dielectric strength while maintaining compact spacing between the output plates.
2Reliability
If the amount of dielectric material is increased to prevent dielectric breakdown, then the ability to store charge at high voltage is improved, but the inductance increases reducing discharge speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent arranges insulating members in a vertical stacked configuration between the output plates, utilizing the third dimension (height/depth) to provide extensive insulation path length. This allows sufficient dielectric material to be incorporated without increasing the horizontal separation between plates, thereby maintaining low inductance while achieving high dielectric breakdown resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating members are nested within the capacitor header structure, with each insulating member containing apertures through which conductors pass. The insulating sheets are nested between the insulating members, creating a compact nested arrangement that maximizes insulation within the available space without increasing the overall footprint or separation distance.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design allows capacitors to be charged to high voltages while minimizing the risk of dielectric breakdown during discharge, enabling rapid and efficient energy delivery.
Implementation Method 1
The inductance of a capacitor may be reduced by decreasing the geometric volume separating the conductive components of the capacitor
Implementation Method 2
storing a large amount of charge requires all the components of a capacitor (e.g. including the capacitor header) to be well insulated from each other to avoid dielectric breakdown
Implementation Method 3
this can result in dielectric breakdown, e.g. in the form of surface tracking over the dielectric material
Data Source
AI summary
A capacitor header for coupling a voltage output from a capacitor, which allows the capacitor to store a large amount of charge and then discharge this as a high voltage, while reducing the risk of dielectric breakdown. The capacitor header includes a live output plate connected to a central live conductor of the capacitor and a ground output plate connected to a ground conductor of the capacitor. The capacitor header also includes first and second insulating members, which both have non-planar mating surfaces that interleave to form a non-linear path. An insulating seal is included between the non-planar mating surfaces. The capacitor header also includes two sets of insulating sheets. The sets of insulating sheets extend beyond an outer perimeter of the live output plate and the ground output plate.